Categories
Family practice physician jobs Medical marijuana for children with cancer Medical weight control

Alcohol Addiction Is a Difficult Condition to Find a Remedy For

Best family doctor

It is a sink or swim situation.
And while you hope that your oldest son who as been dealing with a major alcohol addiction will find a way to succeed now that he has moved into his own apartment, you and your husband both fear that this will not go well. Unable to convince him to admit himself to a facility that specializes in the latest detox processes, you finally had to give your 30 year old son an ultimatum. He had been living back at home for the last year, but his refusal to follow the rules that you have set in place left you with few alternatives. Although you do not want to see him fail, you fear that you have been enabling his condition.
Treatment for Addictions Often Involves a Long Term Stay at a Detox Center

After the meeting with the one detox doctor that some friends had recommended, it became abundantly clear that your son will likely not be able to solve his problem on his own. Unless your son is arrested again or ends up in the hospital with a dangerous blood alcohol level though there is no way to make him dry out. The one other time that he was hospitalized, the doctors committed him for a five day stay. At that time, your son was still married, and it ended up being the reason that you found out what had been going on. It turns out that your husband’s wife had been struggling to get him to take better care of himself with no success.
Nearly 18 months later, and now divorced, your son is not making any progress. In fact, he appears to be worse. Summoning up all of the tough love that you can find you issued the ultimatum last month. Unless he could quit drinking or unless he agreed to go to a treatment center, he would need to move out.
With two trips so far, you have moved most of your son’s belongings to an apartment that is 60 miles from your home. Treatment for addiction is never easy, but it is impossible if you cannot get him to start. And while your son insists that he does not need anything as formal as treatment for addiction that involves a one month stay, the fact of the matter is he has wasted and made the last 12 months of your life very stressful.
If you have a loved one who is struggling with an addiction you are not alone. In fact, Americans find themselves dealing with a number of addictions, including alcohol and drugs. Unfortunately, the average alcohol addiction patient does not receive treatment until eight years after the age at which they developed the condition. Another frightening fact is that of all emergency room patients admitted for injuries, 47% of them tested positive for alcohol and 35% were intoxicated; of those patients who were intoxicated, 75% showed signs of chronic alcoholism. These statistics are a scary sign of how many problems addiction can cause.

Categories
Closed system catheters Free medical supply samples Securement devices

How This Woman’s Life Was Saved by a Stoma Bag

Medical supplies houston texas

Chronic diseases that impact the digestive system or renal system affect millions of people around the planet. For a lot of them, using adapt ostomy supplies or urological supplies can make all the difference in the world. In hospitals around the world, many different types of catheters are used every day to help people in a variety of situations. Metro News wrote up one woman’s story dealing with her stoma bag.andnbsp;

Hattie Gladwell did not plan to have a stoma bag, nor did she ever expect to need adapt ostomy supplies. She had emergency surgery to correct a problem with her colon. Over the course of her life, it had become so diseased that her doctors told her had they waited even 30 minutes, it could have exploded. When she woke up from her surgery, she had the bag on her stomach and it was a done deal. She reports that it was scary for her at first but that, in time, she learned to deal with it and now appreciates it.

Gladwell lives in the United Kingdom, where she reports that hundreds of thousands of others have stoma bags and use adapt ostomy supplies. The people, in that country and around the world, who use these have conditions ranging from ulcerative colitis, Chron’s disease to bowel cancer. All of these problems can have a devastating impact on a person’s life.

Gladwell talks about the different kinds of adapt ostomy supplies. People can have an ileostomy, a colostomy, or a urostomy. These all deal with different parts of the intestine and renal system. Both ileostomies and colostomies are used for problems with the small and large bowel, respectively. A urostomy is used when a person cannot void their urine through their bladder.

Unlike temporary closed system catheters, having any kind of stoma bag is a life-changing experience. People have to completely change the way they use a toilet. There is often a time of adjustment.

Gladwell talks a bit about how her life changed when she was given the stoma bag. She says that before her surgery, she suffered from debilitating and intractable constipation. Days would pass between bowel movements and she had to follow an incredibly strict and unpleasant diet. Laxatives were a part of her daily life. All of this caused her to bleed and she became very anemic and lost a lot of weight. The stoma bag freed her from all of that. The bleeding stopped and she was able to gain weight to become healthy again. As an added bonus, she can now eat whatever she wants.

Since her surgery, Gladwell has read about how life using adapt ostomy supplies is miserable and that bothers her a lot. She feels that while new treatments that can spare people needing surgery should be celebrated, life with her stoma bag is better than her life before it. She notes that if given the choice between death and a stoma bag, most people would choose the latter.

Gladwell also notes how much better she feels not suffering from terrible stomach cramps, dealing with the constant bleeding was more inconvenient than what she has to do now with her bag. She points out that these are no longer used only on older people but many younger people have them as well. She advocates for more education about what life with a stoma bag is really like. There are a lot of people who suffer from a disease or are in an accident that causes them to need both a stoma and adapt ostomy supplies.

Gladwell would like people to stop viewing these life-saving devices as bad things but see the good things they can do to help people lead better and more productive lives. She would like to see more pieces in the press that highlight the benefits to having these devices not more about how awful they are to have and to need. She says that these negative pieces only serve to heighten the fear and embarrassment people feel when they are told they need one.

It is easy to be scared of things people do not understand. Gladwell’s story can inspire many in the same situation.

Categories
Breast cancer care Proton treatment Treating prostate cancer nashville

Advanced Treatment of Prostate Cancer with Minimum Side Effects and Collateral Damage

Prostate cancer cure tri-cities tn

One of the most important pursuits in life is the pursuit of good health. A lot of people spend a lot of their time and effort trying to remain in the best of health at all times with the help of good lifestyle choices and competent medical treatment. However, diseases and health problems can strike at any time and a lot of them are not easy to deal with. One of the most serious health problems that people can face is the problem of cancer. Cancer has no definitive cure as yet and the treatment options available are the only options that you can explore if you are affected by this dreaded disease.

Cancer is basically an uncontrolled growth of cells and boarded to food in particular areas of the body. This happens more in some certain areas than others and depending on the type and location of cancer and the stage to which it has advanced, experts can advise specific medical treatments that can take care of the problem. Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men are some of the more commonly observed types of cancer and current treatment options having many cases proven to be quite effective when dealing with these problems, especially if the cancer is detected in early stages of development and treatment commenced immediately.

Effective Cancer Treatment

If you or someone you care about is suffering from cancer, one of the most important things to understand is that treatment options are limited and can have limited success. A lot of it depends on the stage of progress of cancer and the location of cancer in the body. Prompt treatment is required to maximize the chances of success, which is something that is especially true for the treatment of prostate cancer and the treatment for breast cancer. There are a number of treatment options that can be explored, but doctors and experts traditionally follow two distinct line of treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two of the standard modes of treatment of cancer that you can avail at cancer treatment centers in the country. Cancer treatment therapy has come a long way since the last few decades, and the efficacy of these modes of treatment have also increased dramatically. Chemotherapy uses medication to attack the cancer cells, while radiation therapy makes use of targeted application of radiation to attack them. On the flipside, both these modes of treatment have very pronounced side effects and can also affect healthy tissue. This warrants very careful application of these treatment methods with a watchful eye on the side effects and the collector damage.

Advances in Cancer Treatment

When it comes to treatment of prostate cancer and other forms of cancer that are experience frequently by many people, a number of advancements have occurred in the radiation therapy treatment technique. While traditional radiation therapy has always been known to produce a number of side effects and also affect healthy tissue and cells adjacent to the cancerous growth, the use of proton beam radiation has been found to yield much better results. Proton radiation therapy is currently being used experimentally in a number of cancer centers to great effect. This kind of treatment is especially good for cancer which is confined to a specific area like the treatment of prostate cancer.

The most important advantage of proton beam radiation for the treatment of prostate cancer or other confined cancer is the fact that proton beam radiation can be regulated to reach only to a certain depth. This means that, for example, when used in the treatment of lung cancer, this kind of radiation is more likely to not go on and affect other organs in the vicinity, like the heart. This is especially beneficial for the treatment of prostate cancer and other localized cancer growths. Advanced treatment options like these which aim to correct some of the flaws of more traditional treatment methods are encouraging as they present progress in this very serious domain of medical science. With the right treatment options administered by experts, you can definitely have a much better chance of getting rid of your cancer and having a more productive life.

Categories
Dental statim Refurbished autoclave sterilizer Sciscan statim 5000 g4

A Brief Overview of Sterilization Methods From Louis Pasteur to the Contemporary Autoclave

Statim autoclave price

The importance of sterilizing equipment for surgical and other purposes cannot be sufficiently stressed. Bacteria and other contaminants can collect and proliferate on instruments used by tattoo and piercing shops as well as dentists and oral surgeons. Given this, a variety of techniques and equipment has been developed in order to effectively sterilize the tools used by these and other professionals.

The Origin of the Autoclave

French chemist, Louis Pasteur, discovered a valuable sterilization method during the mid-19th century that continues to be used today. He realized that when subjected to temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, that bacteria could be killed. As a result, Pasteur invented the sterilization technique of boiling or heating instruments. Since this procedure proved to be effective with killing various organisms, this resulted in the development of the autoclave, which is a standard sterilization tool within the medical profession.

How Statim Autoclaves Function

Statim autoclaves, such as dental statims, are able to eliminate most contaminants using pressurized steam. While the more common steam-sterilizing temperatures are 250 degrees Fahrenheit and 270 degrees Fahrenheit, other temperatures are used. It”s important to note that in order to kill any microorganisms, these temperatures need to be maintained throughout the entire sterilization process.

Different Uses for Autoclaves

There are different uses for an autoclave. As their name suggests, dental statims are used by dentists to sterilize their teeth cleaning and other tools. Oral surgeons will also use dental statims for their surgical instruments.

In addition to dentists and oral surgeons, tattoo artists and piercing experts will use a tattoo autoclave sterilizer to address their needs. Since blood-born pathogens can survive for up to a week on objects, all equipment and surfaces need to be cleaned and sterilized between clients. This is just the first step involved with the removal of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from equipment. After washing any reusable tools, these need to be sterilized in a tattoo autoclave sterilizer.

The Importance of Routine Maintenance

Since it’s essential to keep autoclaves and other types of sterilization machines in optimal condition, they must be tested and serviced on a regular basis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that spore tests need to be conducted on all sterilizers every week.

When autoclaves fail to function, there are usually two categorical reasons for this. The first is operator failure, or human error. The second categorical reason for this equipment to fail is due to either improper maintenance or mechanical failure, which can occur when the equipment is old and needs to be replaced. In some instances, however, autoclave repair is possible.

Find Out More Information

If you need to sterilize equipment for your business or medical office, it’s important to have the right type of autoclave to accomplish this goal. In addition to purchasing a new autoclave, refurbished autoclaves are also available. Given the necessity of eliminating bacteria and other contaminants from the instruments you use, remember that it’s also essential for your sterilization equipment to receive regular maintenance inspections. If your existing equipment needs repairing, be sure to have this situation addressed as soon as possible. In this way, you are creating a safer environment for everyone that comes into your office.

Categories
General orthopaedist Sports injury prevention Sports medicine

Why Is Chronic Pain In America At An All-Time High?

Total joint surgery

You deserve better than chronic pain and limited mobility. This is the foundation of your average occupational therapy clinic and a reality you can tap into once you know the full extent of your underlying issues. Millions of Americans live every day with some form of wrist, hand and elbow pain, with some relying on pain medication to get through the day and others having no choice but to apply for disability benefits. Wherever you land on the pain scale, reaching out to a general orthopaedist or hand doctor can be the one factor standing between you and a lifetime of struggle. Make this the year you decide to stop living with chronic pain and take your life back, quite literally, into your own hands.

What does an occupational therapy clinic do and how can it improve your quality of life?

The most important thing to know is you’re far from alone on the matter. Chronic pain affects a significant number of American adults, with this percentage even higher among those over the age of 65. The number of Americans of retirement age will double from 46 million to nearly 99 million by the time 2060 arrives, meaning the demand for the accessible occupational therapy clinic will only become more stark from here. While it’s highly encouraged you learn ways of managing your pain in the day-to-day, reaching out to a specialist will ensure this pain no longer reaches astronomical levels.

Chronic pain can take on any form, though some are more widespread than others. Recent studies provided by the American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons have delved deeper into these figures to provide a bigger picture on the state of chronic pain in the country. It was estimated back in 2014 over two and a half million Americans were living with an artificial hip. Another study by the same group saw nearly five million Americans living with an artificial knee. The only way to know for sure which option is best for you is to apply to advanced physical therapy.

Lower back pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain in the country. A major cause for this is the myriad of ways the lower back can be put under extreme stress, leading to degradation of the muscle and a gradual development of mobility loss, stiffness and soreness. Lifting heavy objects improperly, such as putting too much strain on the back and not the arms or legs, can exacerbate lower back pain. Sitting down for long periods of time without proper back support can do the same. Last, but not least, age and a lack of exercise can make this condition worse.

Wrist pain is a finicky issue due to the delicate nature of this part of the body. In fact, many people can find themselves too nervous to seek help because of this perceived complication. The fact of the matter remains that occupational rehabilitation can do wonders for reducing pain, increasing mobility and restoring your previous capabilities. Back in 2016 Medicare proceeded to approve payments for over three million orthotic procedures, accounting for a staggering $1 billion in Medicare spending. If you are constantly stretching to relieve pain from your wrist or have to take frequent breaks from typing or drawing, it’s possible you have a condition that needs to be presented to a physical therapy clinic.

An occupational therapy clinic will properly diagnose your ailment and offer you resources to start your recovery. More minor issues may require frequent sessions to stretch, adjust and gradually alter the source of your pain to a more manageable state. More extreme issues, however, may require an MRI scan and eventual surgery to correct. Those worried about costs would do well to take the imitative. According to a recent study provided by the Health Services Research journal, physical therapy used as a first strategy saw patients facing 70% fewer costs over their first year of treatment.

You don’t have to live with back pain, wrist pain or hip pain. Let an occupational therapy clinic show you the way.

Categories
Advantages of urgent care Denver walk in clinic Medical care

Top 3 Reasons Why Urgent Care is a Better Option Than the ER

Flu vaccination

If you have a non-life-threatening injury or illness that’s still serious enough to need to be seen by a doctor, visiting an urgent care express is a good alternative to heading to the emergency room if your regular physician isn’t available. Unfortunately, many people’s tendency is to turn directly to the ER — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that just under half of adult patients who weren’t sick enough to be admitted to the hospital had gone to the ER because their doctors’ offices were closed. This clogs up emergency rooms with cases that aren’t life-or-death and creates more work for already at-capacity hospital staff. Plus, it’s unpleasant for the patients, who often face long wait times and high hospital bills! So let’s talk about why urgent care express is the way to go.

What Do I Need to Know About Urgent Care Centers?

Urgent care centers help fill in the gap in medical care between the doctor’s office and the hospital. There’s a qualified physician available at almost every urgent care center during their hours of operations and about half of urgent care centers are owned by a physician or a group of physicians.

Furthermore, urgent care centers provide quality care at a fraction of the price and can assist patients with a wide variety of medical manners — from flu vaccinations to IV fluids, in some cases.

Just under 22% have over 450 visits from patients a week and they’re linked in to a variety of technology. Around 40% of urgent care centers use electronic prescription ordering systems and others use computerized systems to look at lab and imaging results and to take down patient information.

What are the Advantages of Using Urgent Care Over the Emergency Room?

Faster Care

Around 60% of all urgent care centers can confidently say that their wait time for patients to be seen by a physician or mid-level provider is under 15 minutes. The Urgent Care Association of America can give more specific statistics. A recent survey showed that just under 60% wait 15 minutes or less before being seen and around 70% of the total visits are an hour or less. That’s good for you: get in, get out, and go about your day like usual.

Extended Hours
So your kid comes down with a high fever at night or you badly sprain your ankle in the early morning. Or you need medical attention, but you can’t miss work. What do you do? Luckily, urgent care centers offer extended hours to accommodate these concerns. Over 65% of urgent care centers are open before 9:00 am during the week and just under half do so on Saturday. And over 90% of centers stay open until 7:00 pm or later on weeknights.

Lower Cost
An emergency room bill can be a steep one, especially if it’s out of network. That’s worth it if you have a life-threatening emergency, but not if you’ve broken out in a rash that’s itchy and uncomfortable, for example. Urgent care centers offer quality medical care for a much lower price and most work with a wide variety of insurances.

What Services Can I Receive at an Urgent Care Express Center?
Urgent care centers can help treat you if you have an accident or fall, minor broken bones, sprains, or strains, or if you’re having difficulty breathing. High fevers or the flu, or a bad sore throat or cough, can also been treated at urgent care. If you have a skin rash, infection, a urinary tract infection, or can’t stop vomiting, you probably want to get checked out at an urgent care center.

However, they can also do more mundane things, like provide a physical or a flu vaccination. About 80% can offer fracture care and around 70% can give IV fluids if necessary.

Next time you find yourself needing medical services and your doctor’s office is closed, consider visiting an urgent care express near you, instead of heading straight to the emergency room.

Categories
Lacey urgent care Urgent care tukwila wa

Why You Should Consider An Urgent Care Center For Medical Treatment

Flu shots

For those who do not have the time to schedule a doctor’s appointment with their general practitioner or who simply just do not have health insurance, an urgent care center can provide a viable alternative to the emergency room.

Most urgent care locations are open seven days a week, with only 15% reporting that they are not. They are becoming more and more popular as well, employing around 20,000 doctors and medical professional nationally and servicing 3 million people every week. An urgent care center provides quality care without the cost or the wait time that you can expect in an emergency room. In fact, the majority of urgent care centers have an average wait time of fifteen minutes, and a typical urgent care center visit only costs around $200, compared to the costs of thousands or more in an emergency room.

An urgent care center, walk in clinic, or the like can perform a range of different services, from sports physicals to wound care and repair. Many urgent care centers can even deal with fractures, offering advanced technology and diagnostic tools like x-rays to patients who have suspected fractures or breaks. A walk in urgent care center also provides treatment for minor ailments as well, like colds (of which people in the United States get around a billion of every single year). The flu is another common ailment seen in an urgent care center, as up to 20% of the population of the United States gets the flu every year during flu season. By and large, however, the most commonly treated ailment in an urgent care center is a respiratory infection, which can develop after a particularly bad cold or the flu, though the majority of people recover from a cold in about eight to ten days.

Fortunately for those who, for whatever reason, do not have a primary care physician, urgent care centers provide high quality medical treatment for a range of issues, big and small. They can provide care for sprained ankles as well as minor fractures as well as more serious viral infections like the flu. In fact, most cases seen in the emergency room could actually have been treated in an urgent care center. Urgent care centers can save on time as well as costs and provide a viable alternative to the emergency room, particularly for uninsured patients.